Preamble

The House met at Eleven o'Clock

PRAYERS

[Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair]

Oral Answers to Questions — FUEL AND POWER ADVISORY COUNCIL

Mr. Mainwaring: asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) whether the terms of reference given to the newly appointed Fuel and Power Advisory Council are intended to include the development of coal resources;
(2) whether, in order to satisfy fully the future needs of the country in regard to coal supplies and, particularly, provide for new sinkings, he is prepared to add to the Fuel and Power Advisory Council men with experience of both sides of the industry;
(3) whether, in order to provide for the development of industry in Wales, he is prepared to add to the Fuel and Power Advisory Council at least one member with a special knowledge and experience of Welsh needs and resources.

The Minister of Fuel and Power (Major Lloyd George): The general function of the Council is to consider and advise upon the broad and fundamental problems of the development and efficient utilisation of the nation's fuel and power resources as a whole. The Council is not so constituted as to be qualified to deal with such matters as the organisation and actual working of the various fuel industries, nor was it ever my intention to refer to them such problems, which are proper to other and quite differently constituted bodies, and are in fact being considered by such bodies.

Mr. Mainwaring: Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman prepared to consider

whether, in the light of the future requirements of the country and the importance of the development of the mining industry, he should in fact add to the Council on the lines I suggest?

Major Lloyd George: No, Sir. The hon. Member, I gather from his Questions, is more concerned with the coalmining industry as such. This Council is more concerned with utilisation than with actual production. Other bodies are looking into that question at the moment.

Mr. James Griffiths: Will the Council make a private inquiry and send in its report, or is it intended that it shall receive evidence?

Major Lloyd George: When I announced the coming into operation of the Council, I said that it was to consider problems referred to it from time to time.

Oral Answers to Questions — ELECTRICITY GENERATION (DISTRICT HEATING)

Mr. Bossom: asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) what proportion of the thermal units generated in our larger power stations are converted into electricity; and what percentage would be available, if appropriate machinery were installed, for providing circulating district heating and circulating district hot water;
(2) whether the new electricity generating stations to be erected, under the auspices of the Central Electrity Board, will be equipped so as to use their surplus heat after the generation of electricity for the purpose of providing circulating district heating and circulating district hot water in the areas in which they are constructed.

Major Lloyd George: As explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on 5th July, the subject of district heating is at present being considered by a sub-committee of the Heating and Ventilation (Reconstruction) Committee appointed by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The Government will wish to see the report of that committee before they can formulate any policy on this matter. The development programme of generating stations just published is so urgent that it cannot wait the formulation of a policy on


district heating which would require legislation. The percentage of heat units in the electricity sent out from the larger and more modern generating stations as compared with the heating units in the coal used ranges from 25 to 28 per cent. If certain difficulties were overcome and district heating from generating stations adopted, it might be possible to have made available 70 to 75 per cent. of the heat units in the coal for combined electrical and district heating purposes. The quantity of electricity, however, produced from every lb. of coal would be considerably less than with present methods and a proportionate increase in generating plant would be required to produce the same amount of electricity.

Mr. Bossom: Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman feel that it is desirable that we should go on generating electricity in this unscientific manner, when our national supplies of coal are getting less and less?

Major Lloyd George: I agree that we must use coal to the best possible advantage, and a committee is inquiring into the question whether it is possible to utilise the extra heat from generating stations for the purpose. While you could get a certain amount of heat from the thermal units you would lose a considerable portion of electricity. It may be that future generating stations will have to be proportionately bigger to meet the demand.

Mr. Austin Hopkinson: Is it not a fact that modern methods of electrical generation use up almost the theoretical amount of heat?

Mr. Bossom: Will the report be out in time for the big housing development after the war?

Major Lloyd George: I have no doubt that it will be presented before that time but with the extremely severe strain upon electricity supplies at present, we cannot wait for the report before putting up new stations.

Oral Answers to Questions — EIRE (ARMISTICE DISCUSSIONS AND PEACE CONFERENCE)

Sir William Davison: asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will assure the House that Mr. de Valera will have no repre-

sentation at any peace conference which may be held or any discussions regarding the terms of armistice.

The Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr. Emrys-Evans): Yes, Sir. It has already been made clear that, so far as His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are concerned, they see no reason why any Government which has not made a positive contribution as a Government to the United Nations' war effort, should be represented at the Peace Conference. The same would, of course, apply to any armistice discussions.

Sir W. Davison: Cannot my hon. Friend say definitely that a man who has said he could not give an assurance not to harbour war criminals, and allows a German paper to be published in Dublin, would not be acceptable to attend the Peace Conference, or any discussions in connection therewith?

Professor Savory: Is my hon. Friend not aware that Mr. de Valera won the general election in Eire on the ground that he was the best man to represent Eire at the Peace Conference?

Oral Answers to Questions — TRADE AND COMMERCE

Austerity Overcoats

Mr. T. Brooks: asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now cancel the order which compels the manufacture of the austerity overcoats.

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Dalton): No, Sir. Not yet.

Mr. Brooks: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a widespread feeling that we should be allowed to have our own design, and so forth? We only require new overcoats every 3 or 4 years. Would he not consider cancelling this Order?

Mr. Dalton: My great concern is not to do anything to check production I am already in consultation with the trade as to when would be the best time to remove these restrictions so as to avoid any check on production, and also to avoid the holding of frozen stocks. But in my view the time has not yet come for removing the restrictions.

United Kingdom Commercial Corporation

Mr. Summers: asked the President of the Board of Trade in what markets the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation is at present operating and the extent to which their approval is required before export licences are granted by his department for delivery to those markets.

Mr. Dalton: I would refer my hon. Friend to the detailed Answer I gave on this subject on 1st March to my noble Friend the Member for South Dorset (Viscount Hinchingbrooke) of which I am sending him a copy. The only alteration since that date is that the Corporation has closed its office in French West Africa. The approval of the Corporation is not required before export licences are granted.

Mr. Summers: What is the cause of the delay in issuing licences for which application has been made?

Mr. Dalton: Perhaps the hon. Member will draw my attention to particular cases.

Children's Footwear (Rural Areas)

Mr. Driberg: asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will allocate a generous percentage of the new supplies of children's Wellington boots to rural areas, in which children often have to walk through muddy lanes to schools not equipped with drying apparatus.

Mr. Dalton: Yes, Sir; I have arranged that the small quantity of children's Wellingtons which can now be produced shall be supplied to traders only on condition that they go to shops in rural areas.

Mr. Moelwyn Hughes: On what conditions may the boots be bought by the inhabitants of rural areas? Will certificates from the school be required?

Mr. Dalton: No, they can be bought for money and coupons.

Mr. Turton: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that over a great deal of Yorkshire, there are no Wellington boots at all?

Mr. Magnay: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have tried at every shop in Newcastle and there was not a size 1 for infants in these boots in the whole town? We need them as much as the rural areas.

Mr. Dalton: In reply to the hon. Member, with whom I am generally in agreement, in this case I am on the side of the country. The mud is worse in the country than in the towns. As I have explained, supplies are very short because natural rubber must be used—synthetic rubber is no good by itself. Natural rubber stocks are declining very rapidly, but we are making what progress we can.

Exports (Policy)

Miss Ward: asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make a further statement on our policy for the export trade.

Mr. Dalton: An opportunity for a full discussion on this subject will no doubt present itself at an early date, and I would ask my hon. Friend to wait until then.

Miss Ward: What I asked was when the Government are going to make a statement of their policy. Will the right hon. Gentleman let us know that?

Mr. Dalton: I do not think this is a matter that can be dealt with by question and answer on the last day of the Session. I hope there will be opportunity for a very full discussion shortly.

Perambulators

Mr. W. J. Brown: asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the acute shortage of babies' perambulators in the Rugby area; and whether he can take any steps to remedy this shortage.

Mr. Dalton: No, Sir; but I am having inquiries made.

Carpet Industry (Scotland)

Major Lloyd: asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps are being taken to commence the resuscitation of the carpet industry in Scotland; and whether he will make a statement on the subject.

Mr. Dalton: Yes, Sir. Raw materials are now being allocated to manufacturers of carpets, including firms in Scotland, in proportion to their pre-war output. But supplies of materials are very short, and a number of the manufacturers are still heavily engaged on war contracts.

Major Lloyd: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable anxiety about this question in Scotland?


Everybody is building houses, or planning to build houses, but not enough preparations are being made for putting carpets on the floors.

Mr. Dalton: It so happens that I was in Scotland last week-end and met some of the carpet manufacturers, and so I am fairly up to date.

Sir Joseph Lamb: Did they have the right hon. Gentleman on the carpet?

Mr. Dalton: Only for social purposes. We both stood on the carpet. Carpet manufacturers understand very clearly that the supply of jute has been short and that it is urgently needed for war purposes. Substitutes are not readily come by to satisfy the carpet manufacturers or the public, but we are now having a gradual increase in production and the materials are being fairly distributed among all the firms, including those in Scotland.

Sir John Wardlaw-Milne: Is the right hon. Gentleman not in a position to tell the House anything more about the jute supplies which are likely to be available? They are in very short supply.

Mr. Dalton: They are over and above what we expected, but I must not lead carpet manufacturers to think they can be assured of a supply for the future, even on present levels. We are doing our best for them.

Development Areas (Factories)

Mr. A. Edwards: asked the President of the Board of Trade if in the development areas special advantages are being offered to local authorities to induce new industries; and if any local authority is able to offer special inducements in the way of rent-free factories.

Mr. Dalton: No such special advantages are being offered to local authorities, and I am not aware of any case where a local authority has the power to offer inducements by way of rent-free factories.

Mr. Edwards: Are not any special advantages to be offered to local authorities to develop their own arrangements?

Mr. Dalton: Not in the sense indicated by my hon. Friend.

Mr. A. Edwards: asked the President of the Board of Trade if the new Government factories in development areas are to

be let at an economic rent; and, if not, is a subsidy to be available for local authorities or private manfacturers who invest their own money in factories.

Mr. Dalton: These factories, when they become available for civilian production, will normally be leased on the basis of 1939 values.

Mr. Edwards: Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that on this basis, manufacturers who wish to go ahead with new building are at a great disadvantage unless the Government are going to extend the same facilities to those who build their own factories? What is the position of those who wish to build factories to rent, or those who wish to build their own factories, because, according to this arrangement, the 1939 rent is equal to a subsidy of 50 per cent. from the Government?

Mr. Dalton: This matter has been discussed in the House before. The question I am asked is about factories which now exist and which are being used by, or were built by, the Government in the development areas. It has been announced that these will, generally, be leased and not sold, and that the initial basis of the lease will be the 1939 value. At a later date, that can be readjusted in accordance with changes in conditions.

Mr. Shinwell: Do the Government propose to use any of these factories for civilian production under Government control, for example, for the purpose of producing goods required for building purposes?

Mr. Dalton: That is a wider question, but the answer is that we are certainly considering that in relation to housing and other programmes.

Mr. Edwards: May I put it to you, Mr. Speaker, that the Minister did not deal with the second part of the Question? He was asked whether the local authorities and private manufacturers are to have the same advantages that the Government arc offering in their own factories. Otherwise nobody can make a move, and everybody is at a standstill.

Mr. Dalton: No, Sir, I do not think everybody is at a standstill. When we get more building labour—and the essential problem here is the release of labour for building new factories—licences will be


issued for new building in these and other areas, and particularly in these areas, and anybody who desires to build will be enabled to do so. I am dealing here with the question of what arrangements have been made for factories built or used by the Government for war purposes to be converted to civilian production and I have answered that.

Mr. Edwards: On a point of Order. I would put it to the Minister that the Question I have asked is perfectly clear—whether a subsidy is to be available to local authorities or private manufacturers—and the Minister's answer leaves it so that everybody is at a standstill, because they are going to have to pay twice as much for a factory and cannot possibly let it at 1939 rents.

Mr. Dalton: I should like to get my hon. Friend to see the point and I will try again. The factories referred to in the first part of his Question are to be let at 1939 values. That is the basis of the rent and there is no question that that may be regarded as a reasonable approach to an economic rent, having regard to the conditions in those areas. That being so, there will be no subsidy granted to local authorities or private manufacturers.

Mr. Edwards: I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.

Oral Answers to Questions — BRITISH ARMY

Parcels from Troops

Mr. Hewlett: asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the ignorance which exists on the subject among soldiers at the front, he will instruct officers to issue the conditions governing the periodic dispatch of presents to relatives and friends at home.

The Secretary of State for War (Sir James Grigg): The conditions in question have been published from time to time, but the publication of a comprehensive statement is being considered.

Home Guard (Rifle Club Scheme)

Sir Douglas Hacking: asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet in a position to announce his rifle club scheme for Home Guard units after disbandment.

Sir J. Grigg: Yes, Sir. The formation of rifle clubs for members of the Home Guard is being entrusted to County Territorial Army Associations, who will work out schemes suitable for their own areas, and who will control the loan of weapons and the issue of ammunition. An instruction setting out the principles on which the clubs are to be organized has been sent to the Associations.

Sir D. Hacking: Does the control of munitions and weapons mean that they will loan weapons?

Sir J. Grigg: Control the loan of weapons. They will loan weapons.

Lieut.-Commander Joynson-Hicks: Will this enable Home Guard detachments who stand down on 3rd December to form clubs straight away?

Sir J. Grigg: I should have thought so.

Rubber Planters (Release)

Mr. Hewlett: asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the need for increasing the allied supply of rubber, he will consider releasing those planters now serving in the Army so that they may be employed on the Far Eastern estates shortly to be liberated.

Sir J. Grigg: Releases of this kind can only be considered if the cases are sponsored by the Government Department concerned. When the time comes for such applications to be put forward they will be most carefully considered.

Private Soldier (Punishment)

Mr. Manning: asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the facts elicited from his inquiries into the punishment in Belgium of Private P. C. Felton, of the Queen's Royal Regiment, and the crime of this soldier which led to the punishment; and whether he is aware that since 17th October this soldier has been further punished by continuing to wear handcuffs and by having his regimental flashes removed.

Sir J. Grigg: As my answer is necessarily rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the answer:
In accordance with King's Regulations, paragraph 1001 (a), Private Felton's commanding officer issued an order on 18th September, 1944, that all emblems must


be removed from buttonholes and caps. This was a lawful command and Private Felton obeyed it. On 19th September in disobedience of this order, Private Felton was seen wearing the Belgian colours on a ribbon. He was ordered by the company-sergeant-major to remove the ribbon. He refused. He was then placed on a charge and brought before his company commander, who ordered him to remove the ribbon. Felton again refused. Felton was then brought before his commanding officer, who explained why emblems should not be worn. When ordered by his commanding officer to remove the ribbon, Felton refused. The commanding officer then ordered the regimental sergeant-major to have the ribbon removed. Felton threatened to fight anyone who tried to do so. Felton's blouse was taken off and the ribbon removed. His attitude remained so threatening that he had to be placed in handcuffs while under arrest. The unit was holding an extended front against the enemy and extra guards could not be spared. Felton was, on more than one occasion, told that his handcuffs would be removed, if he abandoned his threatening attitude; owing to persistent refusal to do so, the handcuffs were not removed. Felton was finally convicted by a field general court-martial of disobeying a lawful command and insubordinate language, and sentenced to one year's detention. The action taken by the commanding officer was approved by the corps commander.

Parcels to Overseas Troops

Mr. Summers: asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that parcels sent to men serving with the B.L.A. forces, frequently at considerable personal sacrifice, are not arriving; and what steps he is taking to improve the service.

Sir J. Grigg: I am not aware that parcels which are properly packed and correctly addressed are not reaching men in the British Liberation Army. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of the cases to which he refers they will be investigated. It is very important that general complaints of this kind should be accompanied by specific instances. Sometimes the specific cases enable the machinery to be improved. Sometimes they are insufficient to sustain a general accusation. In one case, where an offi-

cial complaint reached us from an operational theatre, it was conclusively proved that not more than one in 40 of the parcels in question had, in fact, gone astray.

A.T.S. Unit (Accommodation)

Mr. Driberg: asked the Secretary of State for War if he can make any further statement about the conditions under which A.T.S. and other personnel are living on a gun-site at a place of which he has been informed; if double tentage has now been provided; and how soon it is expected that the hutments will be complete.

Sir J. Grigg: I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the facts so far as I have been able to ascertain them by the most exhaustive research. Broadly speaking, these facts point to the eminently suitable conclusion that both the hon. Member's statement and mine were correct, though I should add that they also point to the conclusion that, but for the competition of a heavy demand for storage tents from 21 Army Group, the double tentage might have been authorised earlier by the War Office.

Following is the statement:

There are nine sites at which mixed batteries are or were operationally deployed in the area in question. In one of these, huts were available at all relevant times. In two others the unit in occupation at the time I gave my answer was in process of relief in the ordinary course by a wholly male unit. This leaves six sites, at two of which the hon. Member gave lectures on 13th November, the day before my oral answer was given. The hon. Member put down a Question to me on the Order Paper for written answer on 9th November. A reply in the same form as that subsequently given was sent to him on the same day. That answer was then premature in that the double tentage had not arrived on the sites although issue of it had been authorised. There was some delay in this authorisation owing to large competing demands from 21 Army Group.

The position on 13th November when the hon. Member visited two of the six sites which alone are in question, was as follows. On three of the sites winter tentage had been delivered. It had not


been erected owing to deficiencies of certain necessary accessories. On three others, including the two visited by the hon. Member, winter tentage had still not arrived. By 14th November, the day I gave my answer to the hon. Member's oral Question, it had been delivered to all six sites. By the night of 16th November the A.T.S. auxiliaries on the two sites visited by the hon. Member were actually housed either in huts, double tentage or civilian buildings. This was also the position on that day at the other sites, except one where the auxiliaries were not so housed until 19th November.

Major-General Burrows (Lecture, Cairo)

Mr. Gallacher: asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now received a report regarding the speech made by Major-General Burrows in Cairo, on 7th September, at an obligatory parade of G.H.Q. officers and N.C.Os.; and what action he proposes to take on this matter.

Sir J. Grigg: I sent a copy of the enclosure to the hon. Member's letter of 10th October to General Paget, and I also showed it to General Burrows on his arrival in this country. Quite independently they have assured me that this account is a gross distortion of the lecture. Incidentally, I myself have heard, and heard at considerable length, General Burrows' views on Russia and the Russian Army, some time before the lecture in Cairo, and what I heard then is completely irreconcilable with the account of the lecture sent to the hon. Member.

Mr. Gallacher: In view of the fact that this was a compulsory parade, was an officer entitled to make a political address directed against the Soviet Union, and were members of the Forces entitled, as several of them were anxious to do, to contradict the statements made by the General?

Sir J. Grigg: That presumes that the lecture was a political lecture, which is denied by both the Generals concerned.

Mr. Gallacher: Would the rank and file, who were compelled to attend the lecture, be entitled to put questions or make a protest against anything they considered undesirable?

Sir J. Grigg: They are not entitled to break the King's Regulations.

Demobilisation (Wounded Men)

Mr. Bellenger: asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent priority in demobilisation at the end of the last war was given to men in the Army on account of wounds received in action.

Sir J. Grigg: After the last war Army Orders were issued from time to time for the demobilisation of various classes or groups. These classes or groups were made up of those having various qualifications such as age, length of service, being pivotal men and "demobilisers" or having occupations awaiting them. One of these qualifications was the possession of wound stripes. The first groups to be released included those entitled to wear three or more wound stripes. Later groups included those entitled to wear fewer wound stripes.

Mr. Bellenger: I gather from the answer that some degree of priority was given at the end of the last war to those who were wounded several times?

Sir J. Grigg: Yes, Sir.

Italian Co-operators, Pinner

Mr. Norman Bower: asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that women are being continually molested after dark by Italian co-operators camped at Rayners Lane, Pinner; and if he will issue instructions to the camp commandant that these men are not to be allowed outside the camp after dark.

Sir J. Grigg: Seventeen hundred Italian co-operators have been accommodated in this camp for nearly six weeks, and only a very few complaints of this nature have been made, either to the police or to the camp commandant. I do not consider that this justifies the withdrawal from all these co-operators of the privilege to exercise outside their camp until 10 p.m.

Mr. Bower: Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are very many complaints about this sort of thing, that it is causing great anxiety and indignation in the neighbourhood, and that complaints to the camp commandant appear to be utterly ineffective?

Sir J. Grigg: My information is not in accord with that of the hon. Member. There have been a few complaints to the police. I may be a little out of date, but when I last heard there had not been a single complaint to the camp commandant.

Sir Reginald Blair: Is my right hon. Friend aware that the hon. Member who represents the constituency in which Rayners Lane is situated has not received a single complaint, and that from his own personal investigations and other inquiries he believes that the behaviour of these Italian co-operators is very good indeed?

Mr. Ivor Thomas: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this campaign against Italian co-operators bears many of the marks of the anti-Semitic campaign in Germany? Will he also bear in mind the words of the Foreign Secretary a few years ago that there is no such word as "vendetta" in the English language?

Overseas Forces (Home Leave Scheme)

Mr. Quintin Hogg: asked the Secretary of State for War what is the minimum period of overseas service which qualifies for the leave scheme announced on 17th November.

Sir J. Grigg: In view of the very different circumstances of the overseas theatres concerned a wide measure of discretion has been left to the commanders-in-chief. They were simply given guidance to have regard to length of service and to good service particularly in the fighting line, but within these very general instructions I have no doubt that the practice will vary according to theatre.

Mr. Hogg: While appreciating the good reasons for my right hon. Friend's answer, may I ask whether he will under take to let the House know in some measure, how this scheme is working out and on what principles the various commanders-in-chief are using their discretion?

Sir J. Grigg: I will consider that, but I have not full information about some yet.

Captain Gammans: asked the Prime Minister if any preference is to be given to married men in the leave regulations for men in the Forces in the Mediterranean and the Far East.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill): No, Sir.

Captain Gammans: Does not my right hon. Friend feel, in view of the fact that very few men, comparatively speaking, can come home under this regulation, that an exception might be made for married men?

The Prime Minister: The matter of choice and the methods of conducting the choice are in the hands of the commanders-in-chief. I understand that the method which has been adopted in Italy is one of balloting, which is not unfamiliar to us. According to the first report I have had on the subject it is giving great satisfaction. Anyhow, unmarried people have feelings as well as married people.

Lieut. - Commander Hutchison: asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the rigorous conditions of overseas service in war-time, he will consider increasing the scale of foreign service leave laid down in the Appendix to Cmd. 6548.

The Prime Minister: No, Sir. The scale of foreign service leave laid down in the Appendix to Command Paper 6548 was arrived at after the most careful consideration of all the various factors involved.

Lieut. - Commander Hutchison: Does not my right hon. Friend think that a good case can be made out for increasing the peace-time allowance of foreign service leave?

The Prime Minister: We are not in peace-time.

Mr. Driberg: asked the Prime Minister if he can make any further statement on the possibility of granting home leave for Christmas to soldiers now in the Mediterranean theatre.

The Prime Minister: In my statement on 17th November I expressed the hope that some men would be back from the Mediterranean by Christmas. The first contingent of officers and men from Italy will be here quite soon—I will not give the actual date. Another contingent is due before Christmas. The first detachment from the Middle East will arrive before the New Year. This is in full accordance with the expectations which I authorised.

Mr. Driberg: Is the Prime Minister aware that some disappointment was caused by a statement from G.H.Q., Middle East, which appeared to contradict or modify his original statement? Can we take it from what he says to-day that his original hope still holds good?

The Prime Minister: Yes, it certainly holds good. I have asked my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to


ascertain how this contradiction was put out in that form.

Pay and Allowances (India)

Mr. W. J. Brown: asked the Secretary of State for War whether the increases of pay and allowances recently decided on for the Army are being paid to the Forces in India.

Sir J. Grigg: The War Service increments are payable to all officers below the rank of major-general and to other ranks in receipt of British-Indian rates of pay, provided their service qualifies. Japanese campaign pay is also paid to these officers and other ranks except that it is confined to ranks up to and including captain. The application of these increases to British personnel of the Indian Army and to British Service personnel attached to or serving with the Indian Army is under active consideration and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India hopes to make a statement before long. As stated in the White Paper, Far East Allowance is issued to troops in receipt of pay under the British Pay Code. It is, therefore, not applicable to the troops in India because they are under either the Indian or the British-Indian Pay Code.

Mr. Bellenger: Is it not the case that the large number of British troops in India who, as my right hon. Friend says, are not in receipt of British rates of pay but are on the British-Indian code will not get the increased allowance authorised in the White Paper for the Far Eastern service?

Sir J. Grigg: The Far Eastern allowance was designed to equate the position of people on the British-Indian code with those who were on the British code. Since it is designed to bring those on the British code up to the standard of the British-Indian code, it is not payable to those on the British-Indian code.

Mr. W. J. Brown: Has there been any adjustment in the Far Eastern allowance since the House was informed of the increase of pay to the British soldier?

Sir J. Grigg: The Far Eastern allowance was contained in the last statement of pay increases. It is a combination or amalgamation of various allowances previously in existence and there has certainly been no variation since that Paper was issued.

Territorial Efficiency Medal

Mr. Touche: asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that pre-war Territorials who, by their length of service would be entitled to the Territorial Efficiency Medal, are disqualified if part of this qualifying service is performed after being commissioned; and whether he will reconsider this decision.

Sir J. Grigg: I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Deptford (Mr. W. H. Green) on 31st October.

Married Quarters

Lieutenant-Commander Hutchison: asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether, as an emergency measure owing to the housing shortage, he will allow members of the Regular Army who hold temporary commissions and who, owing to being on service overseas prior to the outbreak of war, have no domicile in the U.K., to occupy any married quarters which are at present vacant;
(2) whether the regulation regarding the allotment of married quarters to other ranks only can be amended so as to make eligible for the occupancy of such accommodation members of the Regular Army who hold temporary commissions, but who are liable to be reduced to warrant or non-commissioned officer's rank after the war.

Sir J. Grigg: I outlined the arrangements now in force in a reply I gave my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Ilford (Mr. G. Hutchinson) on 28th September. I realise that officers as well as other ranks are affected by the present shortage of houses, but officers are usually in a better position to make arrangements for their families and other ranks must, clearly, come first.

Lieutenant - Commander Hutchison: Would my right hon. Friend consider adopting a measure of flexibility in dealing with cases where there are vacant married quarters?

Sir J. Grigg: I would like to consider that, but in the particular case in which my hon. and gallant Friend is interested, I do not think there are any grounds for any change.

Post-War Recruitment

Mr. Bellenger: asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the official figures issued by the Canadian Government that 86 per cent. of the Canadian Army have volunteered for general service anywhere in the world; and whether he is taking steps to prepare plans for the recruitment of an Army on voluntary terms for post-war purposes.

The Prime Minister: The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is that my attention was called to these precise facts by the terms of his Question, although I had, of course, realised the magnificent character of the Canadian war effort. Plans for the reconstruction of the Army after the war are under active consideration in the War Office, and these include such matters as terms of service and the means of attracting men to enlist under regular engagements. The question of national service as the foundation of our military system is also being examined.

Mr. Bellenger: While I am glad to hear that active consideration is being given to these matters, may I ask whether the Prime Minister knows that the Secretary of State for War said in this House, only a week or two ago, that the British Regular Army was in process of disintegration by effluxion of time in their contracts? Is not the matter very urgent for our postwar Regular Forces?

The Prime Minister: We went through all this difficulty at the end of the last war. As the war progressed the terms of men's service reached their conclusion, especially in the Regular Army, with men who were already under arms when the war began. But, on the whole, the matter is being, I will not say studied, but thoroughly surveyed. Undoubtedly a great change-over takes place when war comes suddenly to an end but in this case the change-over will not be so violent, because there is another war which will open with greater vigour at the other end of the world, when the present one in Europe is finished.

Mr. Petherick: Will not my right hon. Friend agree that a great volume of recruits to the Army comes in only when a war has started, that they have to be trained and that in the meantime this

country may be in very grave danger? Is it not, therefore, far better to adhere to the Conscription Acts, so that we may be fully prepared, if any war breaks out, from the moment of its outbreak?

The Prime Minister: I am not prepared to agree to words being put into my mouth, even by my hon. Friend.

Oral Answers to Questions — BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR

Food Parcels

Major McCallum: asked the Secretary of State for War whether adequate steps are being taken, through the Red Cross authorities, to supply to our prisoners of war in Germany, other than those in hospital, the essential requirements in vitamins which are lacking in the low diet afforded by the German Government, particularly now that the supply of Red Cross food parcels has had to be reduced to half a parcel per man per week.

Sir J. Grigg: The composition of the standard food parcels sent out by the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John War Organisation was designed and is reviewed by experts in nutrition in relation to the rations issued by the Detaining Power. All practicable steps are being taken to restore the normal flow of Red Cross parcels and it is hoped that the full issue of parcels may be restored shortly. I am glad to say that my medical advisers inform me that the reduction in the issue of parcels is unlikely, unless unduly prolonged, to prejudice materially the health of the prisoners.

Major McCallum: Is it a fact that the parcels containing vitamin supplies go only to the men in hospital and not to men who are not in hospital and who for long years have suffered from lack of vitamins C and D?

Sir J. Grigg: Extra vitamins are included in the parcels for sick prisoners, but food sent to the ordinary prisoners contains a supply of vitamins in the normal way. The constitution or composition of the parcels is settled after consultation with nutrition experts.

Far East (Conditions)

Mr. Riley: asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is able to give any further information regarding the sinking of the Japanese transport convey-


ing British and Australian prisoners of war; whether the names of the British personnel who perished are known; have the relatives of these men been informed; and is he aware of the resentment on the part of many who have sons or fathers prisoners of war in the Far East that the details of atrocities should have been broadcast in view of the uncertainty of of relatives involved.

Sir J. Grigg: I can assure my hon. Friend that I only made this statement after anxious consideration. I was fully aware, as I said in the statement, of the distress which it would cause to the relatives of prisoners of war in Japanese hands. But the United Kingdom prisoners rescued had reached this country, and, in these circumstances, the facts could not have been withheld. And apart from this, I would not have felt justified in keeping from this House or from the country, first-hand information which had reached us about the way in which the Japanese had treated our prisoners. Particulars of most of the personnel from the United Kingdom known to have been on the sunk Japanese transport have been obtained from statements made by the survivors. In all cases where it has been possible to establish identity, either from details supplied or by the interrogation of the survivors, the next-of-kin of the men concerned have been informed.

Mr. R. C. Morrison: In view of the fact that No. 4 Camp was said to be mostly involved in this unfortunate matter, is it possible to get from neutral sources any report of what has become of the prisoners from that camp who were known to be on the transport?

Sir J. Grigg: I would rather like to have notice of that question. I believe that the Japanese have recently indicated a willingness to widen the scope of inspection by the International Red Cross.

Oral Answers to Questions — BRITISH INTER-SERVICE MISSION, MOSCOW

Major-General Sir Alfred Knox: asked the Secretary of State for War what is the strength of the military mission at present at G.H.Q. in the U.S.S.R.; and whether there are British military representatives with each Russian army in the field.

Sir J. Grigg: The strength of the British Inter-Service Mission in Moscow is at present 26 officers and 32 other ranks. There are no British military representatives with the Russian Forces in the field, but a few visits to the front have been made.

Sir A. Knox: Has any application been made to the Russian authorities to allow British officers to be attached to the Russian Armies in the field?

Sir J. Grigg: I would like to have notice of that question.

Oral Answers to Questions — SCOTLAND (ROAD ACCIDENT)

Mr. Thomas Fraser: asked the Lord Advocate if he has considered the report from the hon. Member for Hamilton of a road accident in which a cyclist was killed as a result of a collision with a motor-car driven by a police constable; and why more serious charges were not made against the constable than those of failing to stop after an accident, and of using motor spirit for a purpose other than that to which the coupons related.

The Lord Advocate (Mr. J. S. C. Reid): I have inquired into this case. There was not sufficient evidence to justify a charge involving criminal responsibility for the accident. There was only one eye witness. There were marks on the car which indicated that the driver must have known that his car had been involved in a collision and he was, therefore, charged with failure to stop. But there was no corroboration of the witness's evidence that the driver was to blame for the accident.

Oral Answers to Questions — MERCHANT SEAMEN (HOSPITAL TREATMENT)

Mr. Hewlett: asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether there are any statistics to show the number of men of the Merchant Navy who have needed hospital treatment as the result of enemy action at sea but who have not been able to obtain it in military hospitals; and what steps are taken to ensure that these sufferers are properly tended.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (Mr. Noel-Baker): I am not aware that any members of the Merchant


Navy have been unable to obtain hospital treatment, when they have needed it as a result of enemy action, and no complaints have been brought to my notice. If my hon. Friend knows of any case and will let me have particulars, I will gladly cause inquiries to be made. There are comprehensive arrangements both at home and abroad to ensure that hospital treatment is available for all merchant seamen who require it.

Oral Answers to Questions — AMMUNITION SUPPLIES

Captain Gammans: asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied that the production of shells is adequate to meet the present and anticipated expenditure in Western Europe.

The Prime Minister: Ammunition supply is constantly reviewed. Nine months ago we opened up our shell filling and making plants again on a large scale on account of impending operations and the immense piling up of reserves which had occurred earlier, and had led to a temporary damping down. That was nine months ago. Since then further important expansions have been made, and I am prepared to say that, providing factory workers maintain—and they may even improve upon—the present planned output, there is no reason to suppose that the British Armies will be short of the necessary ammunition to fight their battles. We have also very considerable reserves, the use of which depends upon the varying estimates made as to the duration of the German resistance.

Captain Gammans: Does the Prime Minister's assurance cover not only Western Europe, but all theatres of war?

The Prime Minister: Yes, Sir. Expenditure on the Burmese front is not on the scale of the great bombardments of Western Europe. Transport, rather than quantities of ammunition, is the governing factor in South-East Asia.

Oral Answers to Questions — UNITED KINGDOM WAR EFFORT (WHITE PAPER)

Mr. John Dugdale: asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of its detailed information on the scope of our war effort, he will consider publishing as a White Paper the full text of the speech

recently made by the Minister Resident for Supply in Washington.

The Prime Minister: No, Sir. My hon. Friend will find that the White Paper which will be available in the Vote Office at noon to-day gives a very complete account of the scope of the United Kingdom war effort. The speech of the Minister Resident of Supply in Washington was an excellent contribution to making our work known abroad.

Oral Answers to Questions — RECONSTRUCTION (MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY)

Mr. James Griffiths: asked the Prime Minister whether the Minister of National Insurance will continue to answer Questions on reconstruction matters; and, if not, to which Minister such Questions should, in future, be addressed.

The Prime Minister: The Minister of National Insurance will be responsible only for matters affecting his new Department. Questions about the post-war problems of a single Department should continue to be addressed to the Minister in charge of that Department. Thus, Questions relating to the reconstruction aspects of trade, local government or transport should be addressed, respectively, to the President of the Board of Trade, the Minister of Health and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport. Questions on reconstructions of a general character which do not fall within the responsibility of a single Department should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council, who has undertaken to answer such Questions.

Mr. Shinwell: In view of the statement made by my right hon. Friend the other day, that it was desirable to have a Minister in this House who could address himself to the subject of works and buildings, is it not equally important that instead of having a Minister confining himself to the other House and described as "The Minister of Reconstruction," we should have such a representative in this Assembly?

The Prime Minister: No, Sir, I do not think that argument follows. There are precedents for Ministers who were conducting their work in another place with great satisfaction having retired because of the growing interest the House of Commons


took in their particular topics, and the temporary and special need of having someone to deal with these matters here. The case in question, where hundreds of constituencies are affected, is one in point, but there is no intention of making a general rule, or laying down a general principle on such matters.

Mr. Shinwell: Is it not the case that we have a Minister of Reconstruction in another place, and have no representative of the Ministry of Reconstruction in this House who is directly responsible for reconstruction matters? Questions on reconstruction must be addressed to several Departments. In view of what my right hon. Friend has just said, and while expressing no opinion about the appointments he has made—I have no right to do so—may I ask whether it is not a fact that there was a respresentative of the Ministry of Works and Buildings responsible to this Assembly?

The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman knows as well as I do the answer to the last part of his supplementary question.

Mr. Shinwell: Tell me.

The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman asked me whether there was not a representative of the Ministry of Works and Buildings in this House. He knows the answer as well as I do, and can say it as well as I can.

Mr. Shinwell: If the Prime Minister agrees that the answer is in the affirmative, why then, did he say that it was necessary to have a Minister responsible to this House?

The Prime Minister: I meant a Minister in charge of the Department, responsible to this House.

Sir Irving Albery: asked the Prime Minister what are the present responsibilities of the Minister of Reconstruction concerning housing.

The Prime Minister: My Noble Friend the Minister of Reconstruction has a general responsibility for ensuring, on behalf of the War Cabinet, that due progress is made with the preparation of post-war plans. This responsibility naturally extends to housing, which claims a

high place in our post-war programme and is an operation in which several Departments in varying degrees must play their part.

Sir I. Albery: Is the House to understand that the Minister of Reconstruction has an overriding responsibility for housing?

The Prime Minister: The Minister of Reconstruction is a member of the War Cabinet, and, as such, has continual opportunity of putting his views forward where they are most likely to lead to results being obtained. But in regard to housing, especially war damage and prefabrication, a great deal of active executive work has to be done. There is a very great difference between the careful thought and broad decisions which attend long-term planning, and the semi-wartime emergency measures which are to be taken to meet the devastation in London.

Mr. Shinwell: In view of the great perplexity which this is causing the right hon. Gentleman, would it not be desirable to appoint a Minister whose sole function would be to disentangle this puzzle?

The Prime Minister: I think that is rather a silly question to ask, and very much below the Parliamentary level which the hon. Gentleman is always endeavouring to attain.

Mr. Molson: Has the Minister of Reconstruction any co-ordinating responsibility for the actual execution of the work, or is he responsible merely for post-war planning?

The Prime Minister: There is a difference between planning and execution My Noble Friend the Minister of Reconstruction has a general responsibility over the field of housing. He would not be the Minister who would be required to handle the actual problems arising out of the crisis—I will not say the crisis but the very heavy strain which has arisen in London. For that, we would, naturally, require the use of the executive power. The Minister of Reconstruction is not in charge of a Department.

Mr. Molson: rose—

Mr. Speaker: This is becoming a Debate.

Oral Answers to Questions — DEREQUISITIONED BUILDINGS (REHABILITATION)

Lieut.-Colonel Thornton - Kemsley: asked the Prime Minister if he will instruct the Ministries concerned to formulate a scheme by which owners of requisitioned buildings will, in the event of the requisitioning authority being unable or unwilling to restore a property to the state it was in at the time of requisitioning, be handed with the monetary compensation the necessary permits for the release of labour and materials so to restore the building.

The Prime Minister: The rehabilitation of derequisitioned buildings will have to be related to other urgent and essential work. Sympathetic consideration will, however, be given to the granting of licences to carry out this work so far as building labour and materials are available locally. It would be difficult in present conditions to grant licences for this work in the London region.

Oral Answers to Questions — BOMBED AREAS (RATEABLE VALUES)

Sir Waldron Smithers: asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Southern portion of Greater London and the Southern and Southeastern areas adjoining have borne the brunt of the bombing attacks and, in view of the loss of rateable value thereby incurred he will take the necessary steps to ensure that these losses are borne equitably by the whole nation.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Willink): I have been asked to reply. I do not think that I can usefully add to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Balham (Mr. Doland) on 9th November, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Sir W. Smithers: Can it not be stated to-day that this burden of the heavily-bombed areas around my division will be borne by the whole country? Could the Minister not say "Yes" or "No"?

Mr. Willink: Full assurances have been given that the position will be reviewed, but we do not know yet where we are with regard to the relative burden in this connection.

Mr. Evelyn Walkden: Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman proposing to re-

view this question on the basis of the bombed areas round London? Will he not make it retrospective, and review the unemployment and devastation and all that happened in the North of England in the past ten years?

Mr. Willink: Those are just the kind of difficulties which arise. I have given no specific undertaking, but I have said that the position will be reviewed.

Mr. Frankel: Is it not a fact that East London received as much bombing as any other part of London?

Oral Answers to Questions — INDUSTRIAL RECONVERSION

Mr. A. Edwards: asked the Prime Minister what machinery is in operation for co-ordinating the plans from war to peace production, the personnel of committees dealing with it, and what special steps have been taken to deal with exports.

The Prime Minister: Regarding the co-ordination of plans for the transition from war-time to peace-time production, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox) on 15th November last. As regards preparations for the re-expansion of our export trade, which are, of course, possible only to the very limited extent that war production allows, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, who is responsible, is dealing with this matter, and is in close touch with the persons and interests concerned.

Mr. Edwards: Is the Prime Minister not aware that there is a great deal of confusion in the business community in view of his own statement recently? There are three Departments concerned with this transitional period, and business people do not appear to be able to get facilities from any one of them. Is he further aware that in the official publication of the American Government, they make it quite clear that post-war trade is part of their war strategy? Is there any reason why our Government should not do the same?

The Prime Minister: A great deal of work is done, and is being done, on all these matters, and every preparation that can be made is being either made or foreseen, but the resources that are left over from the war are not large. The Presi-


dent of the Board of Trade has not a great volume of resources at his disposal. I wish they could be more. They will certainly be more when the victory is won in Europe, and as I say, preliminary steps are being taken. All the same, I think I must say that we are dominated and held down in these matters by the weight of the war.

Mr. Shinwell: While appreciating the grave difficulties that beset the Government in switching over instantaneously from war to peace production, may I ask, Does the Prime Minister not recognise that there are several Departments which, in the nature of the case, must deal with all these matters? In view of the present position would it not be desirable to have in this Assembly a representative of the Ministry of Reconstruction, which is primarily responsible for these matters?

The Prime Minister: We have to maintain a proper balance between the two branches of the Legislature.

Mr. De la Bère: Why not have a co-ordinating Minister for common sense?

Oral Answers to Questions — NATIONAL FINANCE

Motor Car Taxation

Miss Ward: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now make any statement on the revision of motorcar taxation.

Squadron-Leader Sir Gifford Fox: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can yet make any announcement as to the proposed change in the horse-power tax on motor-cars.

Captain Gammans: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to be able to make a statement on postwar taxation of motor vehicles.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Anderson): I hope to be able to make a statement early in the new Session.

Miss Ward: In view of the delay that has taken place in coming to a decision, may I ask whether this is not a perfect example of the lack of co-ordination at present existing?

Sir J. Anderson: There has been no lack of co-ordination in this matter.

Income Tax (Trading Losses)

Mr. Channon: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in his next Budget he will consider the possibility of modifying the scope of Section 33 of the Finance Act, 1926, so as to extend the six years' limit under which business losses may be carried forward against future profits in that period by an additional period equal to the operation of the Evacuated Areas Order (Moratorium) in the areas concerned.

Sir J. Anderson: The question of extending, in the case of businesses affected by the war, the period of six years within which, under the existing law, trading losses may be carried forward for Income Tax purposes, was raised on the Committee Stage of this year's Finance Bill on a new Clause put down by my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton (Mr. Craven-Ellis), and I would refer my hon. Friend to the Debate on the Clause and to the assurance given by my right hon. Friend the then Financial Secretary that the matter would be noted for consideration at the end of the war.

Income Tax Assessments (Revision)

Mr. Craven-Ellis: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider inserting in the next Finance Bill a Clause extending to six years the time limit within which an assessment to Income Tax may be revised or a claim for relief under any statutory provision admitted.

Sir J. Anderson: As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, different time limits are prescribed by the Income Tax Acts for different matters connected with the making of assessments, appeals, claims to relief, etc., and I see no reason for proposing the introduction of a uniform time limit of six years.

Mr. Craven-Ellis: Has my right hon. Friend considered the great pressure of work entailed upon his own staff and that of professional accountants? I ask for this concession only as a war-time measure and as a temporary matter.

Sir J. Anderson: Yes, and my answer is that I do not think a uniform time limit would be appropriate.

Oral Answers to Questions — GREAT BRITAIN AND UNITED STATES (MUTUAL AID)

Sir W. Davison: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made in the settlement of Lend-Lease negotiations with America after the war; and whether, in reaching any settlement, full allowance will be made to Great Britain for her war inventions, such as radio-location, the jet aeroplane, etc.

Sir J. Anderson: The principles to be followed in the final determination of the benefits to be provided to the U.S.A. by His Majesty's Government in return for Lend-Lease aid are laid down in Article VII of the Agreement of 23rd February, 1942, Cmd. Paper 6341. The time has not yet come for detailed discussion of the arrangements to carry out these principles.

Sir W. Davison: Do the American Government recognise that the value of the British inventions referred to in the Question, and of others, is considerably greater, as regards winning the war, than the value of the goods and supplies actually received from America?

Sir J. Anderson: I can only say that all due weight will be given to every relevant consideration at the proper time.

Oral Answers to Questions — L.C.C. REMAND HOMES (INQUIRY)

Mr. Keeling: (by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the public interest in the evidence regarding L.C.C. remand homes, he will arrange for the Press to be admitted to the inquiry on the same condition that they are admitted to juvenile courts, namely, that the names of children and young persons shall not be published.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Herbert Morrison): The mere suppression of the names of children and young persons detained in these homes would not sufficiently safeguard their interests, which is the paramount consideration. Daily reports in the Press of the progress of the inquiry and of ex parte statements of conflicting points of view could not fail to be an upsetting influence, and it is the considered view of His Majesty's Government that the public interest will be best served by the publication of the report of the inquiry.

Mr. Keeling: Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is equally important that the public, who are disturbed about this matter, should not feel that evidence damaging to the authorities is being concealed?

Mr. Morrison: I think when the report is published the public will be able to judge on that matter. It would be a reflection on the two eminent and honourable people I have appointed, if it is suggested that they would suppress evidence which might be material to their conclusions.

Mr. James Griffiths: In view of the publicity given to this London case, is my right hon. Friend satisfied that remand homes in other areas and under authorities of different political character, are all that is to be desired?

Mr. Morrison: I would not like to prejudge the issue and I do not think I can make any statement about it, but I follow my hon. Friend's point.

Mr. J. Griffiths: Would my right hon. Friend be prepared to receive representations about such institutions elsewhere?

Mr. Morrison: I am always prepared to receive representations about these places.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson: Is it possible to arrange that the secretary of the committee will be a gentleman who has not previously been involved in these questions, and who will approach the whole subject anew?

Mr. Morrison: The secretary is not conducting the inquiry but is merely acting as secretary. It is for the two members of the committee to conduct the inquiry.

Mr. Nicholson: Is it not undesirable that the secretary should be a man who has previously been employed by the Home Office on these matters?

Mr. Morrison: I do not think so at all, and it would be perfectly usual for that to be the case.

Sir Joseph Lamb: Will a record of the evidence be taker, so as to have it available for publication, if that should be necessary at a later date?

Mr. Morrison: I have given the Government's decision about publication of daily reports, and that must stand. I have no doubt that the usual steps will be taken to obtain a record of the evidence.

Sir J. Lamb: Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that that record will be taken?

Sir W. Smithers: Why hush it up?

Sir J. Lamb: May I have an answer to my question?

Mr. Morrison: Whether the evidence is published or not, I have no doubt that a full record will be taken of it. So far as I know, that will be done. I have had no notice of this question and I have not had time to think about it, but as I say it is highly probable that that will be so.

ADJOURNMENT MOTION (DEBATES)

Mr. Speaker: There is a matter to which I would like to draw the attention of hon. Members. I have been thinking about the arrangements now in operation for the half-hour Adjournment Debate. It has very often been the case that subjects have not been selected for raising on the Adjournment Motion until the date has been secured. I propose to lay down the Rule in future, to operate from the beginning of the new Session, that the half-hour Adjournment may not be booked for more than a fortnight in advance and must be booked after 10 o'clock in person at my office. The subject then must be given. I suggest we might follow this arrangement during the coming Session to see how it works.

Mr. Driberg: If there is a last-minute cancellation of the subject that has been booked, either because the Member himself cannot be there or because, as has happened on occasion, the Minister is unexpectedly called away and cannot be there to answer, will that half-hour then be available, as usual, for any hon. Member who chooses to raise anything at quite short notice?

Mr. Speaker: Yes. I think that if the half-hour is not taken, any hon. Member would be able to catch my eye. I would say that I expect Ministers to make arrangements to be there for the fortnightly bookings.

Sir Percy Harris: Will you, Mr. Speaker, make perfectly clear that the right of hon. Members to raise subjects in the half-hour Debate on the Adjournment still remains? This new procedure of stating the subject some time in ad-

vance, I suggest, should not preclude the ancient right of ventilating grievances on the Adjournment.

Mr. Speaker: This is purely a war-time arrangement, because we have no ballots at the moment, and Private Members do not get a chance in that way to raise matters. If the Government give back Private Members' time I shall have to reconsider the procedure.

Mr. W. J. Brown: I understand from what you have said, Sir, that at any time the Adjournment may be booked up, probably for a fortnight ahead. There must, nevertheless, be other Members rising from day to day, and giving notice that they want to raise matters at a later time. Will note be taken of these, and at the end of the 14 days will you, Sir, allocate the Adjournment, in the order in which Members have given notice in the House?

Mr. Speaker: No, I hardly think that that would be right. The Adjournment is there for Members to raise matters of definite importance, which it is not possible to discuss on other occasions.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke: Will you Mr. Speaker, make clear what will be the position in the event of a Member who has the Adjournment, and has named the subject, wishing to raise another subject? Is he entitled to raise another subject, in view of the fact that he has the half-hour, or will he have to miss his place in the queue, and allow another Member to have the Adjournment?

Mr. Speaker: I do not think he could have a prescriptive right. I think it is a pity when a Member changes the subject. It causes inconvenience to other Members and to Ministers who have to be there.

Mr. McGovern: Have you, Mr. Speaker, given consideration to the question of abolishing the right to call a Count during that half-hour, as most Members then leave the House? Usually it is only the Members concerned and the Minister responsible for the subject who are interested.

Mr. Speaker: That is not a question for me, but for the House. I have, as the hon. Member knows, extended the time for taking a count to three minutes, which will be more convenient for Members.

Mr. Ballenger: Of course the House does not know how this new arrangement will work. As you know, Sir, there is a very long waiting list of Members who desire the Adjournment. Will you be prepared to review the arrangement later on, if it does not work out as you anticipate?

Mr. Speaker: I said that we should see how it will work.

Mr. W. J. Brown: If the extension of the 14 days' list is not to be made according to the order in which Members give notice at Question Time—which is the present practice—who is to determine how Adjournment days are to be allocated as between various subjects and various Members? I do not see how this is going to work out, and I would be grateful, Mr. Speaker, if you would tell us.

Mr. Speaker: I think it will be a matter of first come, first served. I should hesitate, myself, to choose subjects for hon. Members to raise.

Mr. Pritt: You, Mr. Speaker, have been telling the House about the arrangement for the half-hour Adjournment Debate. I take it that that will apply equally, en days when Business ends earlier than expected and there is an Adjournment Debate of longer than half an hour?

Mr. Speaker: It applies when the Adjournment Debate goes on for longer than the half-hour.

Lieut.-Commander Hutchison: If a Minister is unable to attend through illness, will the right of the Member who has the Adjournment be carried over to another date?

Hr. Speaker: I should want notice of that question at the time.

PROROGATION

HIS MAJESTY'S MOST GRACIOUS SPEECH

Message to attend the Lords Commissioners.

The House went; and, having returned—

Mr. Speaker: (standing in the Clerk's place at the Table): I have to acquaint the House that the House has been to the House of Peers, where a Commission under the Great Seal was read. The LORD CHANCELLOR, being one of the Lords Commissioners, delivered His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, in pursuance of His Majesty's Commands, as followeth:

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,

The past year has seen the intensification of the efforts of My peoples and of those of My Allies to free the world from German and Japanese oppression and we are now reaping the reward of the long years of endurance and preparation that have gone before.

The victories achieved are the fruits of the close friendship which knits together My Governments and those of My Allies—a friendship fostered by the meetings between Allied leaders which have played such a notable part in the furtherance of our common purpose.

Within the Commonwealth and Empire the ties that unite My peoples were further strengthened by the meetings in London at which the Prime Ministers of My Dominions, the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia and representatives of My Empire of India conferred with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The declaration which they issued at the conclusion of their meetings expressed the common resolve of My peoples to devote their whole energies towards victory in the struggle in which we are engaged.

In the wider sphere, the meeting at Teheran, where for the first time the leaders of the United States and of the Soviet Union met in, joint conference with My Prime Minister, settled the co-ordinated strategy which has unfolded itself in the past year. In Cairo My Prime Minister and the President of the United States were able to confer with

the leader of the Chinese people. And this autumn Afy Prime Minister has undertaken further arduous journeys, to Quebec to concert with the President of the United States plans for the conduct of the war in the Far East, and to Moscow to co-ordinate with Marshal Stalin plans for achieving the final downfall of Hitlerite Germany and to review with him the problems of Europe. More recently he has paid, at the invitation of the President of the French Provisional Government, a visit to Paris, which has demonstrated afresh the cordial friendship which unites the French and British peoples. In all these visits he has been assisted by the presence of My Foreign Secretary.

In the theatres of war throughout the world, the Forces of all My peoples have continued to fight in close comradeship with the gallant Forces of the United States and My other Allies.

My Forces from the United Kingdom and from Canada, with their comrades from the United States, successfully launched the long-prepared assault on the shores of Western Europe, established a foothold in the face of determined opposition, and, after destroying the German armies which opposed them, have advanced through France and Belgium to the gates of Germany.

Never before in our history has a single enterprise so completely absorbed the energies of the whole nation. Military success has been rendered possible only by the devotion with which the Home Guard, the Civil Defence Services and the Active Air Defences of Great Britain have fulfilled their task of guarding this island base on which the whole undertaking in Western Europe depends.

In the Mediterranean, maintaining the advance which began at El Alamein, the Forces of the United Nations have by hard and determined fighting driven the enemy from Rome and reached the Northern plains of Italy.

In Burma, My Fourteenth Army, including African Colonial Forces and aided by the Forces of the United Slates and China, has turned the attempted Japanese invasion of India into a disastrous retreat. In this campaign My Indian Forces have contributed brilliantly to the defence of their country.

In all these victories My Air Forces, fighting in the closest association with the Allied Air Forces, have played a conspicuous part. They have everywhere engaged the enemy with confidence and courage and their sustained and gallant attacks in Western Europe, in co-operation with the Air Forces of the United States, opened the way for the successful invasion of the Continent.

My Navies have been heavily and continuously engaged throughout the world. In conjunction with My Air Forces they have gained great successes against those enemy submarines and surface craft which have dared to show themselves. They secured the safe passage of the vast invasion convoys for the assault on the shores of Western Europe and they continue to maintain the flow of supplies to My Armies as well as to ensure the safe and timely arrival of the food and material on which the life and work of the nation depends. This would not have been accomplished without the splendid bravery of our merchant seamen and those of the United Nations and Denmark.

It has given Me particular pleasure to have been able to visit units of all My Forces both in Western Europe and in the Mediterranean.

Resounding victories have continued to reward the skill and valour of My Russian Allies, whose advances have carried them into Eastern Germany and brought to an end the German domination of South-Eastern Europe.

In the Pacific theatre of war the Forces of the United States, valiantly supported by Australian and New Zealand Forces, have rapidly advanced across vast spaces of the ocean and have broken into the outer defences of Japan.

The victories achieved and the successful invasion of the Continent have been made possible by the tireless effort and inventive genius of all those who have planned, produced and transported the manifold types of equipment and munitions of war for My Forces and who have maintained the services essential to the prosecution of the war. Our farmers and agricultural workers and the courageous men of the fishing fleets have toiled without respite to provide food for My people,

and, in the Forces, in trade and industry, in voluntary service and in the home, women have continued to make their invaluable contributlions towards victory.

The civil population and the Police, Fire and Civil Defence Services have again shown those qualities of courage and fortitude which earned the admiration of the world in 1940 and 1941. The sympathies of the Queen and Myself extend to all those who have suffered as a result of the enemy's attacks, and We are thankful that the advance of the Allied Forces on the Continent has put an end to the shelling of the south-east coast and reduced the enemy's capacity to launch attacks by flying-bombs and long-range rockets.

I rejoice at the freeing of the territory of France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Greece and Yugoslavia, and our sympathy goes out to the Dutch people in their present ordeal. It is My earnest hope that before long deliverance will have come to the whole of occupied Europe.

In every occupied country the enemy has been increasingly harassed by the resistance of the oppressed peoples and I have watched with warm admiration the great part which the French Forces of the Interior have played in ridding their country of the invader.

My Government have welcomed the establishment in France of a Provisional Government, which will govern the country in accordance with the laws of the Republic until general elections can be held. My Government have also been glad to join with the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Soviet Union in inviting the Provisional Government of France to appoint a representative to join as a full and permanent member in the important work of the European Advisory Commission in London.

It is our earnest desire to promote peaceful co-operation among the nations of the world, and to this end important conversations have been held with officials of the United States, the Soviet Union and the Republic of China which have resulted in the submission to each of the four Govern-


ments concerned of agreed suggestions for the formation of an international organisation designed to maintain peace and security.

My Government were represented at the twenty-sixth session of the International Labour Conference, at the second council meeting of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and at the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference.

My Government have concluded an agreement with the Governments of other maritime United Nations, ensuring through a United Maritime Authority that their combined shipping resources shall continue to be available for the prosecution of the war in Europe and the Far East and for all the purposes of the-United Nations.

The need for an enlightened international settlement under which civil air transport will flourish as an aid to prosperity and peace continues to engage the attention of My Ministers. Further discussions have been held with representatives from other parts of My Commonwealth and Empire, and the Minister for Civil Aviation has headed a delegation to an international conference convened by the United States of America.

Members of the House of Commons,

I thank you for the provision which you have made towards the cost of the war. The heavy financial sacrifices which My people have continued to make during the fifth year of the war have been an essential and outstanding factor in our war effort.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,

Although the successful prosecution of the war has been first in the thoughts of My Government and people, progress has been made with plans for the resettlement of the men and women who during the war have been employed in the various forms of national service, and for the reconversion of industry from war production to the production of goods for the needs of My people and for export.

I have given My Assent to a number of Measures which have been brought before you during the course of the year.

A comprehensive Act has been passed to reform the law relating to education in England and Wales in all its aspects, and to secure its progressive development at all stages. This Measure will open new opportunities to the individual, and will secure to the future service of the community the fullest advantage from the resources inherent in the national character and capacity.

Measures have been passed to provide for the rehabilitation and re-entry into employment of disabled persons and for the reinstatement in their civil employment of men and women in the Services; to facilitate the building of houses; to improve water supply and sewerage in rural areas; to assist the herring industry, and to provide for the redevelopment of war damaged and obsolescent areas and regulate the price of acquisition of land for public purposes.

Legislation has also been passed to establish a Ministry of National Insurance; to increase the rates of unemployment insurance benefit, and to set up permanent machinery for the redistribution of Parliamentary constituencies and provide for an immediate redistribution of abnormally large constituencies.

My Government have outlined the policy which they propose to follow with a view to the maintenance of a high and stable level of employment after the war. They have also published for examination and discussion proposals for a national health service, for a comprehensive system of national insurance and a new scheme of industrial injury insurance, and for a national water policy.

With you, I thank Almighty God for the victories which have been granted to us during the past year, and I pray that His blessing may attend you at all times.

Then a Commission for Proroguing the Parliament was read in the House of Lords.

After which the LORD CHANCELLOR said:

"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons:

By virtue of His Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other


Lords directed, and now read, we do, in His Majesty's Name and in obedience to His Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Wednesday, the twenty-ninth day of November, one thousand nine hundred and forty-four to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued until Wednesday, the twenty-ninth day of November, one thousand nine hundred and forty-four."

Mr. Speaker: As we shall meet again in so short a time, I do not propose to follow the ceremony of shaking hands with each hon. Member individually.

End of the Ninth Session (opened 24th November, 1943) of the Thirty-Seventh Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Eighth Year of the Reign of His Majesty King George the Sixth.